All news

Paris studying Russian proposal to help restore Notre Dame, says French senator

The senator expressed confidence that France would have enough enthusiasm and determination to rally around the aim to restore the symbol of its statehood

MOSCOW, April 17./TASS/. France is studying a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian specialists to Paris to help restore Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral after a devastating fire on Monday, French Senator Gerard Longuet said on Wednesday.

"We are studying with great attention the proposal voiced by Russian President Putin and look at it with much interest. All the more as we know that Russia has a rich experience," said the head of the group for cooperation between the French Senate and the Russian Federation Council upper house of parliament.

"It managed to build anew the cathedral that had been razed to the ground, I mean Christ the Savior Cathedral," Longuet said as he met with Russian senators.

He said the tragedy in Paris had "shocked Parisians, the French people, all men and women to whom the notion ‘culture’ is dear". According to Longuet, the French people are moved by solidarity expressed by people around the globe, especially in the countries like Russia that are close to France in terms of culture, traditions and religion.

He expressed confidence that France would have enough enthusiasm and determination to rally around the aim to restore the symbol of its statehood.

The fire at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral broke out at 18:50 local time on Monday. Due to fierce blaze, the building’s spire and most of the roof collapsed. The fire is believed to have been sparked by the ongoing renovation works on a higher level of the cathedral. A firefighter suffered injuries while combating the blaze.

French authorities and private donors have pledged hundreds of millions of euros to rebuild one of the French capital’s most important landmarks.